Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1887-03-26
WlTCHCRAFT DAYS.
sketch Of the History of the Rebecca Nurse
Homestead at salem.

Homestead at salem.
We understand that this venerable
relic of witchcraft days is likely soon to
he put upon the market. The present
owners, the heirs of the late Grin Put
nam, are so widely scattered as to rem
.dcr it inconvenient for them to unite in
retaining the farm. The historic inter-
est which attaches to this ancient man
sion is not exceeded by that of any
other house now standing in this coun-
ty. The records show with great GER
taintv that this was the home Of Town
send Bishop, one Of the most important
perSonageS of our primitive history. 1t
was the policy of the first settlers to
make large grants to those prominent
men who, by their wealth, could under
take the work of breaking up the dense
Wilderness then surrounding them on
all sides
The example was first set by Gov
ernor Endicott on his Orchard farm,
which, before 1886, was the scene of
busy enterprise. Next west of Endi-
colts farm came the farm of three hun
dred acres granted to Townsend Bishop
in 1886. Bishop Immediately built
mansion here and laid out the grounds
for profitable cultivation. His house,
believed to be the same, or partly the
same, as that now standing and known
as the "Rebecca Nurse House." occu-
pied commanding position on the line
of an old Indian path extending from
Namkeag through what is now Tap
lcyylle and Danycrs Center to the in
terror
Bishop entertained certain opinions
which exposed him to ccnsure from the
Government, particularly in regard to
infant baptism, then considered a vital
point in ecclesiastical discipline. In
consequence of this he soon removed
from Salem, his farm being sold to
Henry Chickering. Chickerng sold it
in 1913 to Governor Endicott, who gave
it to his son, John, upon his marriage
with Elizabeth Houchin.
Johns widow married the Rev
James Allen, minister of the first
church in Boston. and at her decease
she left the Bishop farm" to him.
Allen sold it in 1913 to Francis Nurse
Thus for more than forty years it had
been owned by distinguished persons
living principally either in Salem or
Boston and was considered no doubt as
a fine country residence. Francis
Nurse. on the other hand, established
himself here permanently as n prac-
tical farmer, having previously been
employed in the more limited Occupa-
ton of Il "tray-makcr. - BY his in
duStry and by the help of his good wife
Rcbecca, he had, in 1852. come into
the full possession and enjoyment of
the estate and had provided comforta-
bic homes for his children within the
bounds of the farm, roadway connect
inc the numerous dwellings having
been built by them, which still remains,
an interesting mark of this family
union.
The tragic story of Rebecca Nurse
fate has been well told and need not be
repeated here. A. we enter the room
from which She was 50 ruthlessly
snatched by the ignorant and supersti-
tious popular frenzy to be carried to
her trial and death, the mind passes in
review the principal events; the call at
the house to warn her of the fact that
hername had been mentioned; the gen,
tie humility with which the announce
mcnt, then almost equivalent to 4 deatl
warrant. was received: "lf it be 50. the
will of the Lord be done; her trial; the
verdict of Not guilty" lis rejection
by the court, and the consequent con
| viclion and execution; the removal o.
the body by her sons in the darkness o.
night from Witch Hill TO the farm
where. in the beautiful cemetery. hel
remains have at last found honor in tn,
erection Of monument to hcrmcmory
II is II remarkable circumstance that n
this day, after the lapse Of two cen
turics. direct descendants own ant
occupy the same old homestead. wei
coming with cordial hospitality the fire.
qucnt visitors who come from far and
near to ask the privilege of inspecting
the interior of the venerable abode
Salfm lNaSS.j Ga:etc.